Cleaning and organizing bathrooms demand special attention. Despite the belief that larger bathrooms are neater, professional organizer Mary Cornetta notes that more space often leads to more clutter. A well-organized bathroom hinges on its design.
Certain design choices can significantly impact a bathroom’s functionality. While some designs may look appealing, they can be difficult to maintain. Professional organizers and interior designers share their insights on design decisions to avoid for a cleaner bathroom.
Natural Stones
While natural stones are adored for their chic and sophisticated touch in any space, they are equally loathed for their staining tendency. According to Nelson, ‘Natural stones are less scary in the bathroom than in the kitchen, but they can still stain easily with substances like makeup.’ If you’re a red wine enthusiast in the bathtub, it’s best to avoid marble in that area to prevent stains. Nelson advises against using marble and cement, especially if staining is a concern, and instead recommends exploring ceramic porcelain options. Glass Showers For a smudge-proof design, consider replacing an easily soiled glass shower door with an easy-to-clean shower curtain. Nelson notes that ‘Most of my clients with small children opt for shower curtains over glass, as it’s easier for that age group to keep clean and to get in and out of the tub.’ Shower curtains are also beneficial for those without children, as they can be easily washed or wiped down. Glass shower doors, despite their sophisticated appearance, can be more challenging to clean, particularly sliding doors that collect debris and mildew in their tracks. Overly Specialized Built-ins While product organization is key for a mess-free bathroom, being too specific with built-in organizers can be counterproductive. Professional organizer Kayleen Kelly says, ‘Everything in a bathroom is usually really tiny, but when you get too detailed, that’s where you lose the organization.’ She recommends a more general approach to organization, as permanently built-in organizers for specific needs can be difficult to customize later on. Shallow Drawers Shallow drawers are suitable for daily use items, but as you go down, drawers should deepen to accommodate larger products without crowding. Kelly suggests investing in store-bought organizers, such as acrylic bins, to keep products neat in deep drawers. Open Shelving Floating shelves, while看似 a brilliant storage solution, can make your space feel cluttered if not styled thoughtfully. Nelson advises that ‘Unless you really thoughtfully style your open shelves, they can look cluttered very easily.’ Maintaining organization while hiding products is key to a calming appearance; otherwise, open shelves can become a nuisance. Poorly Utilized Cabinets Emily Mass, a professional organizer, states, ‘If I had to choose between drawers or cabinets, I would always choose drawers.’ Many people only utilize the bottom of the cabinets and neglect stacking organizers or drawers within them, which results in cabinets taking up valuable space without effectively organizing.Maximizing Storage in Showers: ‘When you have drawers, you can create actual categories for your products,’ says Mass. Shower walls without storage can be a problem, but incorporating niches in showers or tubs can solve this. Nelson recommends using niches to create a purposeful spot for items like shampoo and conditioner, suggesting that they should blend seamlessly with the rest of the shower by using the same tile or stone. This approach avoids product clutter in the corners of your shower or bathtub and eliminates the need for space-consuming organizers. Open Concept Designs and Storage Challenges: Minimalist bathrooms are trending, but open concept designs can lead to storage issues. Kelly points out that ‘open concepts lead to a lot of problems,’ as they often lack storage space, leaving no room for products or even a closet. Floor Vanities for Custom Storage: Mass advises that ‘if you are customizing your own vanity, I’d recommend going with a floating one.’ A floating vanity that does not reach the ground creates a sleek look and provides space underneath for storage. Mass likes to use this space for cleaning products in contained bins. Counter Space and Vertical Storage: Contrary to popular belief, too much counter space can be a problem, as it encourages clutter. Cornetta notes that ‘the more surface space people have, the more stuff they pile on it.’ To avoid this, she suggests ditching exaggerated surfaces and opting for vertical storage solutions instead. 17 Bathroom Storage Ideas to Keep Your Space Organized: For more ideas on how to keep your bathroom organized, explore these 17 storage solutions. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit.
